What should I review for grad school in physics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mattlweiss
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics Undergrad
AI Thread Summary
A user with a BS in physics is considering applying to graduate school and plans to review core undergraduate subjects, specifically Classical Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Quantum Mechanics, using texts by Taylor and Griffiths. They seek recommendations for additional physics topics and books, emphasizing a focus on physics rather than math. The user also has an MS in math and mentions interest in topics like statistical thermodynamics, optics, general relativity, quantum field theory, and computer simulations of physical systems. Suggestions include recent books by Zee on general relativity and quantum field theory, as well as Gould's book on computer simulations. It is noted that quantum field theory is not a prerequisite for graduate school. A reference to an insightful thread about becoming a physicist is also provided.
mattlweiss
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I graduated with a BS in physics about 15 years ago and am considering applying to grad school in physics. My plan is to review the undergrad curriculum with the following:

Classical Mechanics - Taylor
E&M - Griffiths
QM - Griffiths

Any recommendations on other basic subjects necessary for grad school and suggested books would be appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Calculus I,II,III, Linear Algebra, Diff Eqns, Complex Analysis, Boundary Value Problems, Vector Analysis
 
Thanks. But I'm thinking only physics topics. I also have an MS in math.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You don't need QFT for grad school.
 
I’ve been looking through the curricula of several European theoretical/mathematical physics MSc programs (ETH, Oxford, Cambridge, LMU, ENS Paris, etc), and I’m struck by how little emphasis they place on advanced fundamental courses. Nearly everything seems to be research-adjacent: string theory, quantum field theory, quantum optics, cosmology, soft matter physics, black hole radiation, etc. What I don’t see are the kinds of “second-pass fundamentals” I was hoping for, things like...
TL;DR Summary: I want to do a PhD in applied math but I hate group theory, is this a big problem? Hello, I am a second-year math and physics double major with a minor in data science. I just finished group theory (today actually), and it was my least favorite class in all of university so far. It doesn't interest me, and I am also very bad at it compared to other math courses I have done. The other courses I have done are calculus I-III, ODEs, Linear Algebra, and Prob/Stats. Is it a...
Back
Top